A Run-Out Controversy averted

Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals, 55th Match, 09 May 2013

Rahul Dravid withdrew a run-out appeal against Adam Gilchrist and upheld the spirit of the game

A controversial run-out which would have raised a few eyebrows and questioned the Spirit of the Game was averted after Rahul Dravid withdrew the appeal made by his bowler against the Punjab skipper, Adam Gilchrist. Ajit Chandila was tapped to mid-on by Marsh. There was no run. Adam Gilchrist, at the non-striker's end was hit by a bizarre and wayward throw by James Faulkner.

He took evasive action and in the process of doing so could not make the crease when the bowler, Chandila picked up the ball off the ricochet and whipped off the bails and appealed for a run-out. Gilchrist was furious with the bowler and gave him a piece of his mind. But Captain Cool, the Wall - Rahul Dravid cooled the raising tempers by withdrawing the run-out appeal. And in the process upheld the spirit of the game.

Cooper double blow restricted Punjab to a moderate total

Punjab had moved to 134/3 after 18 overs. Shaun Marsh was well set on an unbeaten 76 and at the non-striker's end was the dangerously talented David Miller who had hit the third fastest century in the history of the Indian T20 League in his previous match.

Rajasthan knew that a couple of bad overs and the score could have reached a daunting 170. Rahul Dravid trusted the responsibility with Kevon Cooper. Marsh and Miller could not get the bowling away. The first three deliveries only resulted in a couple of singles.

Cooper kept it just short of a length and foxed the batsmen well with his change of pace and variations. The batsmen had to make their own pace as Cooper hardly provided them with any. The pressure was built and something had to give. Shaun Marsh went for a heave across the line, completely missed a slower one from Cooper and had the top of the middle stump rattled.

David Miller was still capable of inflicting some damage in the last 7 balls of the innings. But Cooper had other plans. Another slower one and Miller hit it straight to Rahane at deep mid-wicket. Cooper had struck again in the same over. He conceded just 3 runs off the 19th over of the innings and his double blow went a long way in restricting Punjab to a moderate total.